Backing up your iPhone and iPad to iCloud is crucial to keeping your data safe in the event of device failure or loss. But iOS users sometimes receive a troubling message: “The last backup could not be completed.” Here’s what can cause this problem, how to fix it, and how to get your iCloud backups running smoothly again.

There are several factors that can cause iCloud backup errors, including mismatched Apple ID credentials, poor Wi-Fi connectivity, insufficient iCloud storage, and a lack of physical storage space on the device. Whatever the cause, there are some simple troubleshooting steps you can try.

These troubleshooting steps range from simple fixes to more advanced adjustments, in that order.

Restart your device. This is a great first step before trying the other suggestions below, some of which will take more time or money to complete.